Judge Halts Biden’s Pro-Family Immigration Plan, Blocking Path to Citizenship for 500,000 Spouses

Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Path to Citizenship for Immigrant Spouses, Halts Key Pro-Family Initiative

In a significant setback for the Biden administration, a federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to provide a path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens but are living in the country illegally. This decision dealt a blow to a program the administration championed as a key “pro-family” initiative.

Judge Sides with Texas and Republican-Led States

U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, appointed by former President Donald Trump, sided with Texas and 15 other Republican-led states that filed a lawsuit to halt the program. These states argued that Biden’s action constituted an overreach of executive authority, essentially attempting to rewrite U.S. immigration laws without congressional approval.

Temporary Pause on Approvals

Judge Barker issued a 14-day administrative pause on approving applications to the program, with the possibility of extending the pause further. He also scheduled additional hearings to examine the case more closely. In his order, Barker stated, “The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date.” The government can continue receiving applications while the administrative stay is in effect.

Impact of the Program

The Biden administration estimates that 500,000 couples could benefit from the “parole in place” offer. Announced in June, the program began accepting applications on August 19. The initiative uses executive “parole” authority to grant a path to legal residency for immigrants who meet specific criteria, including ten years of continuous presence in the United States, a clean criminal record, and marriage to a U.S. citizen before June 17.

This legal challenge and the subsequent ruling represent a significant obstacle to the Biden administration’s immigration agenda, particularly its efforts to promote family unity through executive actions. In the coming weeks, further legal battles will likely unfold as the courts continue to deliberate on the future of this contested program.